U.S. patent application number 10/364291 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for multi-electrode panel system for sensing electrical activity of the heart.
This patent application is currently assigned to RESOLUTION MEDICAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Ransbury, Terrance, Sippens Groenewegen, Arne.
Application Number | 20040015194 10/364291 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27392610 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040015194 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ransbury, Terrance ; et
al. |
January 22, 2004 |
Multi-electrode panel system for sensing electrical activity of the
heart
Abstract
Improved systems, devices, and methods sense heart signals
through a torso surface of a patient. These improved systems
facilitate mounting of an array of sensors upon the patient's torso
by supporting the sensor arrays on one or more panels. Four
separate panels can be adapted for engaging the torso surface, with
the four panels supporting most and/or all of the sensors necessary
for localizing an arrhythmia within a chamber of a heart of a
patient. The panels may have integrated components for use with
other electrophysiology lab equipment such as cardiac imagers,
defibrillation power sources, therapeutic probes, standard 12-lead
electrocardiogram (ECG) systems, and the like. An exemplary
arrhythmia sensing system is adapted for use in the high-noise
environment of an electrophysiology lab includes a series of
powered circuits distributed among the electrodes of the array. A
separate low-noise environment sensing system may initially record
an abnormal irregular or regular heartbeat outside the
electrophysiology lab.
Inventors: |
Ransbury, Terrance;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Sippens Groenewegen, Arne;
(Burlingame, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Assignee: |
RESOLUTION MEDICAL, INC.
Pleasanton
CA
|
Family ID: |
27392610 |
Appl. No.: |
10/364291 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10364291 |
Feb 10, 2003 |
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09611179 |
Jul 6, 2000 |
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6584343 |
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60189611 |
Mar 15, 2000 |
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60200965 |
May 1, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
607/10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/341 20210101;
A61B 5/364 20210101; A61B 5/363 20210101; A61B 5/322 20210101; A61B
2562/17 20170801; A61B 5/6841 20130101; A61B 5/282 20210101; A61B
5/0044 20130101; A61B 5/061 20130101; A61B 5/6831 20130101; A61B
5/35 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
607/10 |
International
Class: |
A61N 001/362 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An sensing system for use diagnosing and/or treating a heart of
a patient, the patient having a torso surface, the sensing system
comprising: an array of sensors for sensing heart cycle signals;
four sensor support panels having inner panel surfaces adapted for
engaging the torso surface, the four panels supporting a majority
of the sensors of the array in operative association with the torso
surface when the panels engage the torso surface.
2. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the array defines at
least 40 sensing locations, and wherein each panel supports at
least 7 sensors.
3. The sensing system of claim 2, wherein each panel is adapted for
alignment with the torso surface so as to define a
superior-inferior length and a lateral width, the sensors of each
panel being distributed in an at least two-dimensional array across
the length and width of the panel.
4. The sensing system of claim 1, wherein the panels have leads
extending from the sensors for transmitting sensor signals to the
analyzer, the leads extending from the panels toward a first side
of the patient to enhance access to the patient via a second side
of the patient.
5. The sensing system of claim 4, wherein each panel comprises a
flexible panel substrate, the leads being defined by selectively
depositing or etching a lead material along the substrate.
6. The sensing system of claim 6, wherein openings through the
substrate define at least one separable panel cross-member, the
panel having a first configuration adapted to accommodate a first
external anatomy before separation of the cross-member, the panel
having a second configuration adapted to accommodate a second
external anatomy after the cross-member is separated, the leads
being routed around the cross-member so as to remain contiguous if
the cross-member is separated.
7. The sensing system of claim 1, the torso having four quadrants
including a right front quadrant, a left front quadrant, a right
rear quadrant, and a left rear quadrant, wherein each panel is
adapted for sensing the heart cycle signals at a majority of the
sensing locations uses by the analyzer for an associated quadrant
of the torso.
8. The sensing system of claim 1, further comprising means for
accessing standard heart cycle signals at 12 standard sensing
locations.
9. The sensing system of claim 1, further comprising means for
independently supporting each panel against the torso surface.
10. The sensing system of claim 9, further comprising indicia of
panel positioning visible on the panels.
11. The sensing system of claim 1, further comprising a cardiac
stimulation or defibrillation electrode mounted to at least one of
the panels.
12. The sensing system of claim 1, further comprising at least one
imaging window extending through at least one of the panels for
imaging the heart.
13. The sensing system of claim 1, further comprising sensor signal
transmission circuitry, the transmission circuitry comprising a
plurality of powered circuits distributed among the sensors of the
array.
14. An apparatus for use with a cardiac stimulation power source
and an arrhythmia analyzer for localizing an arrhythmia within a
chamber of a heart of a patient, the patient having a torso
surface, the apparatus comprising: at least one panel adapted for
engaging the torso surface; a cardiac stimulation electrode mounted
to the at least one panel for transmitting energy from the
stimulation power source to stimulate the heart; and an array of
sensors mounted to the at least one panel, the sensor array
transmitting sensor signals to the analyzer for localizing the
arrhythmia.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the stimulation electrode
comprises a defibrillation electrode, and wherein at least one of
the sensors is disposed within a perimeter of the stimulation
electrode and is electrically isolated from the stimulation
electrode.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a pair of
stimulation electrodes mounted to the at least one panel for
positioning the heart of the patient therebetween.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one
imaging window extending through the at least one panel for imaging
the heart.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the
stimulation electrode is disposed within the imaging window, the at
least a portion of the electrode adapted to allow imaging
therethrough.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a plurality of powered
circuits are distributed among the sensors of the array, and
wherein at least one of the circuits is disposed on an
electrode.
20. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of
panels, the panels independently mountable on the torso
surface.
21. An apparatus for use with an heart signal analyzer and one or
more remote imagers when diagnosing or treating a patient, the
patient having a heart within a torso surface, the apparatus
comprising: at least one panel having an inner panel surface
suitable for engaging at least a portion of the torso surface; an
array of cardiac signal sensors mounted to the at least one panel,
the sensor array generating signals in response to heart cycle
signals for transmission to the analyzer; and an imaging window
through the at least one panel for imaging the heart.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of
imaging windows through the at least one panel for
three-dimensional imaging of the heart.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least one sensor of the
array is disposed within the imaging window, the at least one
sensor being more transparent to the imager than at least some of
the sensors disposed beyond the imaging window, and wherein at
least one lead portion is disposed within the imaging window, the
at least one lead portion being more transparent than at least some
of the lead portions disposed beyond the imaging window.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a plurality of amplifier
circuits are distributed among the sensors of the array outside the
imaging window.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a cardiac
stimulation electrode mounted to at least one of the panels.
26. An arrhythmia localization system for diagnosing a heart within
a torso surface of a patient, the arrhythmia localization system
comprising: a noisy-environment sensor system including a substrate
for mounting upon the torso surface, an array of sensors mounted to
the substrate, and a plurality of powered circuits distributed
among the sensors for transmitting sensor signals; and an
arrhythmia analyzer coupleable to the powered circuits for
identifying a candidate arrhythmia site within a chamber of the
heart of the patient.
27. The arrhythmia localization system of claim 26, further
comprising a low-noise environment sensor system including a
substrate for mounting upon the torso surface with an array of
sensors mounted to the substrate for recording an abnormal
heartbeat, wherein the arrhythmia analyzer identifies the candidate
arrhythmia site in response to heart cycle signals sensed by the
noisy-environment sensor system, and in response to the recorded
abnormal heartbeat.
28. The arrhythmia localization system of claim 26, further
comprising at least one element selected from a group consisting of
a cardiac imaging window, a cardiac stimulation electrode, and
means for accessing 12 standard ECG signals.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a divisional patent application which claims
priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/611,179 filed
Jul. 6, 2000, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/189,611 filed Mar. 15, 2000,
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/200,965 filed May 1,
2000, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] I. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to devices, systems,
and methods for diagnosing and/or treating the heart. In
particular, the invention provides methods and systems for sensing
heart signals, and especially for localizing and/or treating
arrhythmias.
[0004] Significant progress has recently been made toward effective
treatments of many cardiac arrhythmias. Contraction of a healthy
human heart generally propagates through the heart tissue from the
sinus node in the right atrium, and eventually the associated
ventricles. This normal propagation of contraction forces blood to
flow from the atria to the ventricles in a synchronized pumping
action. Arrhythmias of the heart often originate at and/or
propagate from alternative heart tissues, resulting in rapid
irregular or regular contractions of some or all of the heart.
Radiofrequency (RF) intracardiac catheter ablation of the
alternative ectopic origin, an abnormal conduction pathway, or an
abnormal pathway exit site is now used to effectively treat a
variety of arrhythmias.
[0005] Although quite effective, current catheter ablation for
treatment of cardiac arrhythmias has significant disadvantages. A
particular challenge in an effective catheter ablation treatment is
the time required for proper identification of the treatment site.
Careful mapping of the arrhythmia via multiple catheters is
generally required to accurately define the treatment site and
limit the size of the ablation. Unfortunately, reliably and
repeatedly inducing an arrhythmia can be quite difficult, and can
result in a lengthy and unpredictable procedure. As an alternative,
candidate ablation sites may be tested during normal sinus rhythm
by pace mapping. This testing may be quite time-consuming, as it
often involves pacing at several sites with an artificial
arrhythmia being initiated using a small electrical pulse from a
catheter at each site. The candidate sites are often tested
sequentially by positioning the intracardiac catheter against a
candidate site within (for example) the right ventricle,
identifying the engaged tissue location within the ventricle,
sensing and/or pacing the heart cycles at the candidate site,
repositioning the intracardiac catheter to a new candidate site,
and repeating this process until an ectopic origin or an abnormal
pathway exit site has been identified.
[0006] As fluoroscopy is often used to identify the location of the
engaged tissue, this sequential iterative process can result in
significant exposure of the patient and treating personnel to
potentially harmful radiation. While alternative (and more complex)
intracardiac catheter probe structures have been proposed to allow
more rapid identification of the ectopic origin(s) or abnormal
pathway exit sites of ventricular tachycardias (VTs) and other
arrhythmias, the size and cost of these complex structures may
limit their acceptability.
[0007] To overcome the disadvantages associated with the known,
time consuming and/or invasive intracardiac arrhythmia sensing and
localization techniques, researchers have been working on
alternative arrhythmia localization techniques which rely on body
surfacing mapping, often during pacing. Electrocardiograms (ECGs)
may be recorded during abnormal atrial or ventricular activity and
compared with ECGs taken during pacing at different sites within
the heart to help identify the ectopic site, with the ECGs
optionally taken using a standard 12-lead ECG system. More detailed
information regarding ectopic sites can be obtained by recording
heart cycle signals at the body surface using a more comprehensive
sensor array (sometimes called body surface ECG mapping or body
surface potential mapping). These heart signals, which generally
comprise small amplitude variations in electrical potential along
the anterior and/or posterior torso, can be manipulated and/or
mapped so as to provide an indication of the origin of the
arrhythmia within the heart. Much of this work has concentrated on
VT. More recent work has begun to investigate the possibility of
localizing certain atrial arrhythmias, such as right atrial
tachycardia. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/189,611,
filed Mar. 15, 2000, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference, describes exemplary methods and analysis
systems for localization and treatment of atrial fibrillation.
[0008] While the new body surface mapping techniques appear quite
promising, the sensing systems that have been used to-date to
measure the heart cycle signals along the body surface have
remained less than ideal. The process of preparing patients by
affixing known electrode arrays can be time consuming and
difficult, even for the highly skilled researchers now developing
these techniques. Additionally, many localization procedures will
be performed in an electromagnetically "noisy" environment. For
example, the imaging equipment (often biplane fluoroscopy), RF
power sources, pacing catheters, and therapeutic probes in use in
an electrophysiology lab can induce significant noise in the small
amplitude voltage measurements on which many of the new arrhythmia
localization techniques are based. These imaging, pacing, and
treatment systems may also interfere with the ideal array sensing
locations. Undesirable interactions between imaging, treatment and
body surface mapping electrode arrays may lead to inconvenience and
delays at best, and degraded performance and/or increased dangers
to the patient at worst. In other words, while the known body
surface mapping systems have been adequate for effective research,
improved body surface mapping systems and methods would be
desirable to allow these new techniques to be effectively, safely,
and reliably applied by practicing doctors for treatment of
patients.
[0009] In light of the above, it would be desirable to provide
improved devices, systems, and methods for sensing heart cycle
signals for localization of arrhythmias. It would be particularly
beneficial if these improvements enhanced the efficiency of
mounting an array upon a patient's torso, as well as increasing the
adaptability of the arrays to a variety of patient external
anatomies. It would further be beneficial if these improved arrays
and body surface mapping methods provided improved safety,
reliability, and sensing/ localization accuracy, despite the normal
variations in physician experience and skill, and without excessive
degradation in overall system performance when used in a high
electromagnetic noise environment such as an electrophysiology lab.
It would further be beneficial to maximize overall system
performance without excessive expenditure on individual sensing
system components and/or sterilization/reuse procedures. Some or
all of these goals are provided by the invention described
hereinbelow.
[0010] II. Related Art
[0011] The following patents and publications may be relevant to
the subject matter of the present invention, and their full
disclosures are incorporated herein by reference:
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,968 describes a Method and Apparatus for
Analyzing the Electrical Activity of the Heart, and Electrical
Clamping Connection Device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,151.
A similar electrode connector is described in PCT Publication No.
WO 97/49143. U.S. Pat No. 6,047,206 which describes Generation of
Localized Cardiac Measures, Related Systems, and/or Methods.
Similar topics may also be discussed in one or more of U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,751,928; 4,974,598; 5,054,496; 5,634,469; 5,311,873; and
5,724,984.
[0013] Arne SippensGroenewegen, et al. described "Body Surface
Mapping During Pacing at Multiple sites in the Human Atrium: P Wave
Morphology of Ectopic Right Atrial Activation, " in Circulation,
98:369-380 (1998). Heidi A. P. Peeters, et al. described related
work in an article entitled, "Clinical Application of an Integrated
3-Phase Mapping Technique for Localization of the Site of Origin of
Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia, " in Circulation, 99:1300-1311
(1999). Arne SippensGroenewegen, et al. described "Value of Body
Surface Mapping in Localizing the Site of Origin of Ventricular
Tachycardia in Patients with Previous Myocardial Infarction, " in
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 24:1708-1724 (1994). "Continuous Localization
of Cardiac Activation Sites Using a Database of Multichannel ECG
Recordings, " was described by Mark Potse, et al. in IEEE Trans.
Biomed. Eng., 47:682-689 (2000).
[0014] Arne SippensGroenewegen, et al. described "A
Radiotransparent Carbon Electrode Array for Body Surface Mapping
During Cardiac Catheterization ", in the Proceedings of the 9th
Annual Conference of IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology
Society, New York: IEEE Publishing Services, pp. 178-181 (1987).
Alexander C. Metting van Rijn, et al. "Patient Isolation in
Multichannel Bioelectric Recordings by Digital Transmission Through
a Single Optical Fiber, " IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., 40:302-308
(1993); Alexander C. Metting van Rijn, et al. in "Amplifiers for
Bioelectric Events: A Design with a Minimal Number of Parts, " Med.
& Biol. Eng. & Comput. 32:305-310 (1994); Alexander C.
Metting van Rijn, et al. "High-Quality Recording of Bioelectric
Events: Part II, Low-Noise, Low-Power Multichannel Amplifier
Design, " Med. & Biol. Eng. & Comput. 29:433-440 (1991);
and Andre Linnenbank, et al. "Choosing the Resolution in AD
Conversion of Biomedical Signals, " Building Bridges in
Electrocardiology: Proceedings of the CXXIInd Int'l. Congress on
Electrocardiology, eds. A. van Oosterom, T. F. Oostendorp, G. J. H.
Uijen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands: University Press Nijmegen, pp.
198-199 (1995), may also be relevant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides improved systems, devices,
and methods for sensing and/or diagnosing arrhythmias of a heart.
The improved systems and methods often sense heart signals through
a torso surface of a patient. These improved systems generally
facilitate mounting of an array of sensors upon the patient's torso
by supporting the sensor arrays on one or more panels. In the
exemplary embodiment, four separate panels are adapted for engaging
the torso surface, with the four panels supporting most or all of
the sensors necessary for localizing an arrhythmia within a chamber
of a heart of a patient. The panels may have integrated components
for use with other electrophysiology lab equipment such as cardiac
imagers, defibrillation power sources, therapeutic probes, standard
12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) systems, and the like. In the
exemplary embodiment, an arrhythmia sensing system is adapted for
use in the high-noise environment of an electrophysiology lab by
including a series of powered circuits distributed among the
electrodes of the array. The powered circuits are supported by the
panel structure for local amplification, defibrillation protection
(often using an electrical energy limiter such as a diode), and the
like. Still further functions may be performed locally (in some
embodiments) such as conversion of electrical analog signals to
digital data and/or optical signals, and the like, or at least some
of these functions may instead be performed by a separate
transmission signal processing structure between the panels and an
arrhythmia analyzer, or even by the analyzer itself. A separate
low-noise (and often low-cost) arrhythmia sensing system may be
useful for initially recording an abnormal irregular or regular
heartbeat outside the electrophysiology lab. These improvements
generally enhance the ease of arrhythmia localization, the
localization accuracy, and the cost of diagnosis, allowing these
highly advantageous body surface mapping techniques to move from
academic and research studies to practical tools for treatment of
patients.
[0016] In a first aspect, the invention provides a sensing system
for diagnosing and/or treating a heart of a patient. The patient
has a torso surface. The sensing system comprises an array of
sensors for sensing heart cycle signals. Four sensor support panels
have panel surfaces adapted for engaging the torso surface. The
four panels support a majority of the sensors of the array in
communication with the torso surface when the panels engage the
torso surface.
[0017] Preferably, the array will define at least forty (40)
sensing locations, with each panel supporting at least 5 sensors,
and more preferably at least 7 sensors. The panels can be adapted
for alignment with the torso surface, with the sensors of each
panel being distributed both along a superior-inferior length and
along a lateral width of the panel. The four panels can have leads
extending from the sensors for transmitting sensor signals to the
analyzer, with the leads preferably extending from each of the
panels toward a common lateral side of the patient so as to enhance
access to the patient. The leads may optionally comprise a flexible
lead material which is selectively deposited or etched along a
flexible panel substrate. Ideally, the panels are single-use,
disposable structures to avoid the cost and dangers of reuse.
[0018] While it is possible to select an appropriate array from a
large number of single-panel structures so as to accommodate a
particular patient's external anatomy, or to include elastic or
other variable size support structures so as to adapt to a wide
range of external anatomies, the present application will
preferably make use of a limited number (typically two to eight,
and ideally four) independent panels. These sets of panels may be
selected from a limited number of set sizes, typically from 2 to 10
different sizes, to accommodate different size patients, and
ideally from 3 different sizes to accommodate small, medium, and
large patients, with the individual panel sizes varying between the
different size panel sets. Each panel can comprise a flexible,
inelastic substrate, and/or each panel may be mounted independently
on the torso surface, typically using a sticky or adhesive
torso/panel interface material. This interface may also provide
selective electrical coupling of the electrodes of the array to
target sensing locations of the torso surface. By independently
positioning the panels, a relatively small number of panel sets may
be sufficient to accommodate a wide range of patients.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment, severable cross-members of at
least some of the panels allow the panel configuration to be
modified to accommodate differing external anatomies, (for example,
to accommodate breasts and the like). The four panels will ideally
each be associated with a quadrant of the torso, for example,
providing a right front torso quadrant panel, a left front quadrant
panel, a right rear quadrant panel, and a left rear quadrant panel.
Still further, alternative structures may be provided to enhance
the comfort of many embodiments of the present sensing system,
particularly for embodiments intended for extended use. Optionally,
such sensing systems may be adapted to provide ambulatory recording
for use over a plurality of hours, often for 24 hours or more, and
in some cases for 48 hours or more. Such ambulatory recording
systems will often comprise a portable power supply (such as a
battery) and a portable recording device (such as a non-volatile
memory, a magnetic and/or optical recording media and associated
drive, or the like).
[0020] It will often be advantageous to provide means for accessing
the heart cycle signals as measured from the six or twelve standard
ECG sensing locations. Such access allows the sensing system to
remain in place when using a variety of other electrocardiography
systems. The means for accessing may comprise one or more standard
or proprietary lead connectors for transmitting sensor signals also
used by the arrhythmia analyzer. Alternatively, connectors at the
appropriately positioned sensors of the array may be provided, or
simple openings in the panel or panels at some or all of the twelve
standard lead positions may be included.
[0021] In another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for
use with a cardiac stimulation power source and an arrhythmia
analyzer for localizing an arrhythmia within a chamber of a heart
of a patient. The patient has a torso surface, and the apparatus
comprises at least one panel adapted for engaging the torso
surface. A cardiac stimulation electrode is mounted to the at least
one panel for transmitting energy from the stimulation power source
to stimulate the heart. An array of sensors are mounted to the at
least one panel. The sensor array transmits sensor signals to the
analyzer for localizing the arrhythmia.
[0022] In many embodiments, a pair of stimulation or defibrillation
electrodes will be mounted to the at least one panel so as to
position the heart of the patient between the stimulation
electrodes. Often times, one or more sensors of the array will be
disposed within a perimeter of the stimulation electrode. Such
sensors may be electrically isolated from the stimulation
electrode. An imaging window may extend through the panel for
imaging of the heart, with at least a portion of the stimulation
electrode being disposed within the imaging window. So as to avoid
degrading image quality, the portion of the electrode within the
imaging window may be adapted to allow imaging therethrough.
[0023] In another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for
use with an arrhythmia analyzer and one or more remote imagers when
monitoring a patient. The patient has a heart within a torso
surface. The apparatus comprises at least one panel having a
surface suitable for engaging at least a portion of the torso
surface. An array of cardiac signal sensors are mounted to the at
least one panel. The sensor array generates signals in response to
heart cycle signals for transmission to the arrhythmia analyzer. An
imaging window extends through the at least one panel for imaging
the heart.
[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of imaging windows
extend through the at least one panel for three-dimensional imaging
of the heart, typically using bi-plane fluoroscopy. One or more
sensors of the array may be disposed within the imaging window,
with such sensors typically being more transparent to the imager
than at least some of the sensors disposed beyond the imaging
window. For example, sensors within the imaging window may comprise
radiotransparent carbon electrodes, while one or more of the
sensors disposed beyond the window may comprise a silver/silver
chloride electrode. Where powered circuits are distributed among
the sensors of the array to avoid noise, the powered circuits will
often be disposed outside the imaging window. Similarly, electrical
leads within the imaging window may have an enhanced
radiotransparency as compared to electrical leads disposed outside
the window. For example, thicknesses of leads within the imaging
window may be reduced, lead materials may be changed, or the like.
Once again, one or more cardiac stimulation electrodes may be
mounted to the at least one panel.
[0025] In yet another aspect, the invention provides an arrhythmia
localization system for diagnosing an arrhythmia of a heart within
a torso surface of a patient. The arrhythmia localization system
comprises a noisy-environment sensor system, including a substrate
for mounting upon the torso surface, an array of sensors mounted to
the substrate, and a plurality of powered circuits distributed
among the sensor for transmitting sensor signals. An arrhythmia
analyzer is coupleable to the powered circuits for identifying a
candidate arrhythmia site within a chamber of the heart of the
patient.
[0026] Optionally, a separate low-noise environment sensor system
may also be provided, with the low-noise system including a
substrate for mounting upon the torso surface and an array of
sensors mounted to the substrate for recording signals during an
abnormal irregular or regular heart beat. The arrhythmia analyzer
may identify the candidate arrhythmia site in response to the heart
cycle signals sensed by the noisy environment sensor system, and in
response to the recorded abnormal heart signals.
[0027] In a method aspect, the invention provides an arrhythmia
localization method comprising engaging at least one panel against
a torso of a patient body. Heart cycle signals are sensed with an
array of signals supported by at least one panel. An arrhythmia is
localized within a chamber of the heart using the sensed heart
cycle signals. Typically, the sensed heart cycle signals are
processed with a plurality of powered circuits supported by the at
least one panel, the powered circuits distributed among the sensors
to inhibit noise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a cardiac arrhythmia localization system
and method for its use.
[0029] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates a sensor system having an
array of sensing locations distributed across a patient's
torso.
[0030] FIG. 1B graphically illustrates the method for calculating
an integral value across a selected time portion of a heart signal
cycle from a single sensor location.
[0031] FIG. 1C illustrates a plot of a data matrix generated by
mapping the integral values with positions corresponding to the
locations of the sensors across the patient's torso.
[0032] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a method and computer
program for localizing an ectopic or exit site, either absolutely
(using a pre-established database) and/or relatively (based at
least in part on measurements previously taken from the
patient).
[0033] FIG. 3 graphically illustrates a database of known atrial
paced heart cycles as 17 mean P wave integral maps.
[0034] FIG. 4 and 5 illustrate 17 known right atrial ectopic
origins associated with the 17 mean P wave integral maps of FIG.
3.
[0035] FIGS. 6A-F illustrate correlations between integral maps of
arrhythmias within a common arrhythmogenic region.
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates a database of QRS integral maps and
associated ectopic origins within the right ventricle.
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a database of QRS integral maps and
associated ectopic origins within the left ventricle.
[0038] FIGS. 9A-D illustrate the four panels of an exemplary four
panel array system.
[0039] FIG. 10A is a top view of an electrode of the array.
[0040] FIG. 10B is a cross-section showing an electrode of one of
the four flexible panels.
[0041] FIGS. 11A-D illustrate electrical circuits distributed among
the electrodes of an array for amplification of signals, conversion
of analog to digital signals, and/or the like.
[0042] FIGS. 12 and 13 schematically illustrate methods for
locating a position and/or orientation of a chamber of a heart in
space, and also schematically illustrate relative localization
using information obtained from a particular patient.
[0043] FIGS. 14A and 14B schematically illustrate biplane
three-dimensional guided positioning of a catheter for diagnosis
and/or treatment of an arrhythmia.
[0044] FIG. 15 schematically shows biplane three-dimensional
imaging of a patient's heart through imaging windows of a
four-panel array system.
[0045] FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a system and/or kit for
sensing arrhythmias.
[0046] FIG. 17 shows an exemplary substrate with electrodes and
lead deposited thereon for use in an anterior left panel of a
passive vest structure adapted for use in a low-noise
environment.
[0047] FIGS. 17A-C illustrate additional panel layer structures for
use with the passive panel of FIG. 17.
[0048] FIGS. 18-20 illustrate exemplary passive panel layouts for
use with the panel of FIGS. 17 in a passive four panel set.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0049] While the following description is largely directed to
localization and/or treatment of ventricular tachycardia (VT)
and/or atrial fibrillation (AFib), the methods, devices, and
systems of the present invention may be used for a wide variety of
arrhythmias, including both focal and re-entrant arrhythmias (such
as those resulting from infarct scars). When used for treatment of
re-entrant arrhythmia, treatment may be directed at or near an exit
site of a pathway. The invention may, in some cases, be used with
pulmonary vein isolation therapies now being developed (in which
linear, circumferential, and/or perimeter lesions may isolate one
or more pulmonary veins to inhibit propagation from triggers or
exit sites in or near the veins) by allowing selection of target
veins and/or indicating whether vein isolation should be utilized.
The invention is also useful for localizing focal arrhythmias and
pathways beyond the pulmonary veins, and may find use for treatment
of paroxysmal AFib, chronic AFib, atrial tachycardia, arrhythmias
of the ventricles, localizing an insertion point of a concealed
accessory pathway, and the like. Some embodiments of the present
invention may also find applications in the general cardiology
field, including for non-arrhythmia applications such as ischemia
detection and localization, risk-stratification, and the like.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 1, an arrhythmia sensing/diagnostic
system 2 includes a plurality of panels 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D
(collectively panels 4) which are independently mounted to a torso
T of a patient P for diagnosis of an arrhythmia. Each of panels 4
supports a plurality of sensors 12 distributed across the panel.
Together, sensors 12 of panels 4 can define an array of sensor
locations across the front, sides, and back of torso T of patient
P.
[0051] Sensors 12 are coupled to an arrhythmia analyzer 6, the
arrhythmia analyzer typically comprising a computer (such as a
standard PC, Sun.RTM. workstation, Silicon Graphics.RTM.
workstation, or any general purpose or specialized processor of
similar or greater computing power) and tangible media having
machine readable code with instructions and data for localizing an
arrhythmia within a chamber of a heart in response to heart cycle
signals sensed by sensors 12. The machine readable code will often
comprise hardware, software, and/or firmware, and may optionally
make use of proprietary and/or freely available enhancements such
as MatLab.TM. available from the Mathworks, Inc., LabView.RTM.
available from National Instruments, Inc., or the like. The
processor of analyzer 6 will often include some or all the standard
components of a general purpose computer, such as one or more
input/output ports, a network connection such as an intranet,
Ethernet, and/or Internet connection, a reader for tangible media,
such as floppy discs, compact optical discs (CDs), or the like, a
monitor, a keyboard and/or other input device (such as a mouse,
trackball, etc.), and the like. Analyzer 6 will be coupled to
panels 4 via cables 8.
[0052] Still further exemplary system components are illustrated in
FIG. 1, including a data transmitter and/or recorder 3. Transmitter
3 generally comprises an amplifier, an analog to digital converter,
an electrical-to-optical signal converter, a power supply (AC/DC),
and the like. In the exemplary embodiment, data from sensors 12 is
transmitted into this device via electrical cables 8, and is
converted to optical signals for transmission to processor 6 along
a fiber optic cable. In many embodiments, the signal will be
filtered before transmission to the processor.
[0053] When panels 4 are used to gather heart signal information in
a low-noise environment, data transmitter 3 may alternatively
comprise a recording system including a power supply (which may be
alternating current and/or direct current such as a battery or the
like), a buffer box (to augment signal strength), and a memory
(which may comprise a non-volatile or other digital or analog
signal memory, a magnetic and/or optical recording media with
associated drive, or the like). Such low-noise systems are
particularly useful when gathering data from patients over a long
term, typically over two hours or more, and often over one day or
even two days or more while the patient remains ambulatory.
[0054] As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, panels 4
may be coupled to a defibrillation power source 7, thereby allowing
the heart to be defibrillated while panels 4 remain mounted on the
patient's torso. This is particularly advantageous when diagnosing
and/or treating arrhythmias with techniques which involve
artificially initiating an arrhythmia, as it allows the patient to
be repeatedly defibrillated as desired. As will also be described
hereinbelow, system 2 will often include couplers for transmitting
data to a standard ECG analyzer 9. Couplers may be provided on
panels 4, using takeoff connectors from cables 8, output ports from
the data transmitter or processor, or the like. In some
embodiments, panels 4 may simply include openings for independently
mounting the standard ECG sensors at the appropriate locations, or
the panels may have integrated standard ECG electrodes with
dedicated connectors adjacent each standard electrode location.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 1A, the techniques of the present
invention will generally make use of an array 10 of sensors 12
distributed across anterior and posterior skin surfaces of torso T
on patient P. Array 10 provides multi-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
data at a plurality of sensing locations distributed across torso
T, typically at over 20 sensing locations, more preferably at over
40 sensing locations, and ideally at 62 or more sensing locations.
Optionally, additional approximated sensor signals may be generated
by interpolating between sensors of the array. This may be
performed, for example, to generate data at 192 sensing locations
when only 62 sensors are present in the array.
[0056] Sensors 12 generally comprise unipolar or bipolar electrodes
coupled to the patient's skin, or to an alternative accessible
tissue surface (for example via a transesophageal approach)
suitable for measuring electrical surface potential.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 1B, ECG data is preferably acquired
simultaneously from each sensor 12 of array 10 at a sampling rate
of about 500 Hz or more, ideally at a sampling rate of about 1,000
Hz or more. In some embodiments, sequential sampling of sensor 12
from array 10 may alternatively be used, and higher or lower
sampling rates are also feasible. Poor quality or absent signals
may be visually and/or automatically identified and rejected. Such
rejected or absent signals may be replaced using interpolation of
adjacent lead recording data. Interpolation and/or filtering
techniques may also be utilized to correct for offset variation
among electrodes, and for linear baseline drifting.
[0058] Graph 14 includes an ECG signal tracing 16 representing the
variation in voltage over time, as sensed by sensors 12, optionally
at about 1 to 2 ms intervals. Signal tracing 16 may be used to
evaluate heart cycle signals from the heart of patient P. In
general, one or more reference heart cycles will be selected for
manipulation and comparison. The reference heart cycle may be the
heart cycle coinciding with initiation of the arrhythmia for focal
AFib, or any cycle during VT, for example. ECG Tracing 16 can be
used to determine a beginning 18 and end 20 of a time portion 22 of
the reference heart signal cycle which is of particular interest
for evaluating one or more regions of the heart. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 1B, a P wave onset may be determined by the
time at which the voltage progresses beyond a predetermined
threshold, for example, 30 .mu.V, while termination of the P wave
may be defined at the atrial J-point, as is generally understood in
the field of electrocardiography. Alternative criteria for P wave
onset and offset might also be utilized, and automated detection of
time portion 22 is also feasible. Alternative time portions may
also be selected, for example, QRS data may be analyzed for
localization of VT.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, measurements made at each
sensor 12 are preferably mapped onto a graphical map or plot 24 of
a data matrix according to the locations of the associated sensor.
In the exemplary embodiment, a numerical valve of a P wave integral
may be calculated based on heart cycle signals 16 within selected
time portion 22 for a particular sensor location N10. This
calculated P wave integral value reflects the time/amplitude area
of ECG signal at that sensor location within the selected time
portion. Similar integral values are calculated for each sensor
location, and the sensor values are mapped within a data matrix
continuously from a portion of the data matrix associated with a
front F of torso T, across a side of the patient P, and to a back B
portion of torso T. As shown in FIG. 1C, the data matrix will often
be presented graphically by calculating lines of constant integral
values 28 based on the individual discrete integral values and
their associated positions within the data matrix. In some
embodiments, this information can be summarized by presenting a
single line 30 of zero integral value between a region of positive
integral values 32 and a region of negative integral values 34. In
much of the description which follows, the region of positive
integral values 32 is presented as a shaded region within the
graphical map 24 of the data matrix. Exemplary alternative data
matrices may be presented with shades of a first color (red, for
example) for positive values, a second color (blue, for example)
for negative values, and optionally a third color (such as green)
for zero.
[0060] For localizing of certain arrhythmias (possibly including
VTs and some types of atrial tachycardia), directly using
measurements from sensors 12 to calculate integral values 26 for
the selected time portion 22 may be sufficient to identify an
arrhythmogenic region (which may be relatively large) of a
particular ventricle, and in some cases, a particular atrium.
Localizing directly from the sensed heart cycle signals is
significantly facilitated when the signals within the time portion
of interest are predominantly indicative of activity within a
candidate ectopic region of the heart. For example, when localizing
VT, selecting a time portion dominated by the QRS complex in the
signal can effectively localize arrhythmogenic foci, as more fully
described in the J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 24:1708-1724 (1994), the
full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This
localizing of tachycardia foci within the ventricle may be
facilitated by the domination of the QRS complex in the signal of
the overall body surface potential.
[0061] Unfortunately, when localizing fibrillation foci within an
atrium, the P wave (which can be indicative of activity within the
atrium) will often be superimposed, either partially or completely,
by the T-U wave. Physiologically speaking, the atrial activity of
interest may coincide with ventricular recovery of the preceding
cardiac cycle. To accurately localize focal triggers during the
initiation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the present invention
can make use of systems and methods for separating a signal portion
of interest from a superimposed signal portion, with the two signal
portions often being separated from a single signal sensed from at
least one single sensor location. These signal separation
techniques are particularly advantageous when used to isolate the P
wave from a simultaneously occurring T-U wave. It may be possible
in some circumstances to artificially separate these waves by
active pacing using an intracardiac catheter with a pacing period
selected to avoid superimposition of these two signal portions
during artificially initiated arrhythmia. Alternatively, as will be
understood with reference to U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/189,611, and also with reference to a provisional application
filed on Mar. 15, 2000, entitled "QRST Subtraction using Adaptive
Template for Analysis of T Wave Obscured P Wave" (both of which are
incorporated herein by reference), a QRST subtraction program can
isolate and preserve the P wave morphology so as to enable trigger
localization of focal AFib and other arrhythmias. The application
of similar subtraction methodologies may also enhance the ability
of body surface mapping systems to localize other sites of interest
for diagnosing or treating arrhythmias, such as the ectopic origin
of rapid atrial tachycardia with 1:1 atrio-ventricular conduction
and the atrial insertion site of a concealed accessory pathway or
to isolate atrial flutter.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 2 an exemplary localization and
treatment method 40 will often make use of a pre-existing
arrhythmia database 42, the arrhythmia database typically including
mean paced maps taken from a variety of individuals at multiple
pacing locations, as will be described hereinbelow. When seeking to
localize an arrhythmia for a particular patient, heart signals of
the arrhythmia for the patient will be captured and recorded 44,
preferably using array 10 as described above. The recorded heart
signals will often be manipulated as described above to generate
one or more integral data matrix and/or plot.
[0063] Statistical comparisons of the recorded arrhythmia 44 to the
database 42 will often allow calculation 46 of a candidate ectopic
or exit site. The initial calculation may be performed using only
surface measurements taken from the patient's body surface and the
database of previous patient morphologies and associated pacing
sites. Use of these external sources of information is generally
referred to as "absolute" localization. Alternatively, related
methods may be used after initiation of pacing, optionally being
based entirely on data from the patient.
[0064] It will often be beneficial to accurately identify the
location of diagnostic and/or treatment structures (such as a
pacing catheter electrode) relative to one or more tissues within
the heart, particularly while imaging the heart tissue in three
dimensions, for example, using biplane fluoroscopy in an
electrophysiology lab. To help establish the location, orientation,
and/or dimensions of a heart chamber of interest, anatomical
locations in space or datum points may be identified in step 48. In
the exemplary embodiment, this information is used to graphically
indicate or superimpose the calculated candidate site on the
displayed tissue image so as to help guide a diagnosing and/or
treatment catheter toward the candidate site 50.
[0065] Where further refinement in the localization is desired, the
catheter may pace at the candidate site 52 while measurements are
taken by sensor array 10. Heart signals measured by the array
during pacing may be compared to the heart signals from the
original arrhythmia 54. If the paced heart signals match the
recorded arrhythmia, the site may be treated 56, using either the
same or a different catheter.
[0066] If the heart signals obtained by pacing at the candidate
site do not match the recorded arrhythmia within a desired
tolerance, a new candidate site 58 may be calculated. Optionally,
the new candidate site may be calculated by determining an
adjustment vector or function. Such specific guiding to one or more
sequential pacing sites can significantly decrease the total number
of pacing sites required. In some embodiments, this may involve
calculating an estimated pacing location from the paced heart
signals. The estimated pacing location may be compared to an actual
pacing location, which may be determined using a frame grabber and
image analysis system coupled to the biplane fluoroscopy to
calculate a three dimensional position of a radio-opaque marker
(such as an electrode) of the catheter. Alternatively, known
magnetic catheter location systems, electrical location systems,
ultrasound location systems, or the like might be used. The
adjustment vector or offset may then be applied to the calculated
candidate site. Optionally, the pacing location and measured heart
signals may be added to the database. When sufficient specific
information from this patient is available (for example, when three
or more pacing locations and associated integral maps have been
obtained), the entire database may be specific to the patient
undergoing diagnosis or treatment.
[0067] Localization which makes use of patient-specific pacing
location and heart signal information is sometimes referred to as
"relative" localization. In many embodiments, relative localization
will have significant accuracy advantages, particularly when a
plurality of pacing locations have been captured. Eventually, when
sufficient relative localization accuracy has been achieved, the
recorded arrhythmia and paced heart signal will match and treatment
can be initiated. Advantageously, the localization system may
graphically guide a pacing/ablation catheter to successive
candidate sites by superimposing the calculated candidate site with
the imaged heart tissue and catheter, ideally in three-dimensions,
significantly facilitating the procedure.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, a graphical plot of a particular
patient's P wave integral may be used to localize an arrhythmogenic
region in an atrium by comparing the P wave integral plot for the
patient to a database of P wave integral plots having associated
known ectopic foci within the right atrium. Each of the 17 plots of
database 70 has an associated ectopic region (identified by the
encircled numbers illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0069] The anterior-posterior view AP shown in FIG. 4 and the
posterior-anterior view PA of FIG. 5 illustrate the right atrial
cavity. Anatomical landmarks included in these diagrams include the
superior vena cava SVC and inferior vena cava IVC; the right atrial
appendage RAA; the smooth right atrium SRA; the trabeculated right
atrium TRA; the crista terminalis CT; the fossa ovalis FO; the left
atrium LA; the Eustachian valve EV; the coronary sinus os CSO; the
tricuspid valve TV; the right pulmonary artery RPA; and the left
pulmonary artery LPA.
[0070] Methods For Assembling A Right Atrial Database are described
in detail in the J. Electrocardiol., 31 (Supp.):85-91 (1998),
incorporated herein by reference. The mean P wave integral maps of
atrial database 70 feature extreme positions and zero line contours
without positive and negative integral contour lines. Alternative
plot formats, such as three-dimensional or chest anatomy-based
formats, map displays using various color schemes, and the like,
may also be used. A similar left atrial database may be prepared
using a trans-septal or retrograde aortic approach, with each
database again benefiting from accurate information regarding the
positioning of the pacing catheter, as described above and as
described in more detail in a provisional application filed on Apr.
11, 2000 and entitled "Database of Body Surface ECG P Wave Integral
Maps for Localization of Leftsided Atrial Arrhythmias," the full
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0071] These databases have generally been prepared by grouping
together sets of pacing data having similar morphologies and pacing
locations from a number of tests. Each of the mean paced maps of
the databases and the associated known ectopic or exit sites or
regions has been assembled from a series of individual pacing tests
on several different patients. Referring now to FIGS. 6A-F, six
individual P wave integral maps included within a group were each
obtained during pacing at the left upper and left lower pulmonary
veins of the left atrium. These six similarly located pacing sites
were grouped together within a single group of a left atrial
database, and these plots were averaged to produce one of the mean
plot of the left atrial database. The spatial or morphological
compatibility of these patterns can be clearly seen, particularly
with reference to the location and orientations of both the highest
positive and negative integral values, as well as with reference to
the zero line contour separating the shaded from unshaded regions.
While each of these six patient-specific maps were generated using
intracardiac pacing, naturally occurring ectopic origins may be
identified by comparing reference heart cycle signals measured
during atrial tachycardia or the onset of atrial fibrillation (and
optionally separated from superimposed signals as described above)
to the mean paced plots of the database.
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a right ventricular database
82 and a left ventricular database 84 each include mean QRS
integral maps for paced ectopic origins in the right and left
ventricles, respectively. These ventricular databases are more
fully described in an article by Heidi A. P. Peeters, et al.
entitled "Clinical Application of an Integrated 3-Phase Mapping
Technique for Localization of the Site of Origin of Idiopathic
Ventricular Tachycardia," Circulation 99:1300-1311 (1999) the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0073] FIGS. 9A-D illustrate panels 4A-D, respectively, which
include powered components for use in a high noise environment
(this panel system sometimes being called an active panel system).
Describing the structure of panels 4 using the exemplary panel 4A
illustrated in FIG. 9A, the panels generally comprise a thin,
planar, and flexible (but often not elastic) polymer film substrate
60. Substrate 60 has an axially length L and a lateral width W
suitable for supporting most and/or all of the sensors 12 to be
mounted on a quadrant of the patient's torso for localization of an
arrhythmia. Sensors 12 will generally define an at least
two-dimensional panel array on each panel. More specifically, the
sensors will typically define a two-dimensional array when a
flexible panel is maintained in a planar configuration (prior to
mounting on the torso), and will define a three-dimensional array
once the panel is in a curved configuration such as when the panel
is mounted on the torso for use. Preferably, at least seven sensors
will be supported by each panel 4. Electrically conductive leads 62
extend from each sensor 12 to a connector 65 for coupling of panel
4A to analyzer 6. Leads 62 may be defined by selectively depositing
a conductive material onto substrate 60, and/or by selectively
removing portions of a conductive layer applied across substrate 60
using known circuit fabrication techniques.
[0074] Selected displaceable sensors 12a included on panel 4A are
adapted for lateral displacement from an initial lead position,
often for coupling to a patient's body surface beyond the perimeter
of the panel. Deflectable lead support filaments 64 facilitate
lateral displacement of displaceable leads 12a. More specifically,
cut outs 66 through panel 60 define elongate and optionally,
serpentine lead supporting filaments of panel material. Electrical
leads extending along these filaments maintain electrical coupling
of displaceable sensors 12a with connector 65 when sensors 12a are
moved from within the panel perimeter and attached to the patient's
body surface along, for example, a shoulder or arm, a leg, or the
like.
[0075] Selective cutouts 66 through panel 60 may also define means
for accessing at least some of the standard ECG lead placements 68.
These accessing means act as guides to help position some or all of
the 12 standard ECG leads, allowing panels 4 to be used in
conjunction with known 12-lead ECG analysis systems, and/or with
improved 12-lead systems which may become available in the
future.
[0076] Panels 4 may also include alternative structures for
accessing the standard 12-lead sensor locations. For example,
sensors 12 may be supported by panel 4A at one or more standard
locations, with take-off connectors or "snaps" for transmitting
signals from the standard sensor locations to alternative ECG
analysis devices provided either on the standard location sensors,
or anywhere across the panel. Still further alternatives include a
data transmission output from analyzer 6 or directly from the
panels for transmitting the standard ECG sensor information. Many
of these options will allow analyzer 6 as well as the alternative
ECG data analysis system to make use of the standard ECG
information, avoiding any need to interpolate the standard
information or combine data from a separate ECG system with data
from array 10.
[0077] As has previously been mentioned, panels 4 may be optionally
used in combination with a medical imaging system such as a
magnetic resonance imaging system, an ultrasound imaging system, a
fluoroscopy system, or the like. In the exemplary embodiment,
biplane fluoroscopy will be used to provide three-dimensional
imaging of at least a portion of the heart while measuring heart
signals during intracardiac pacing or direct catheter-based mapping
of an arrhythmia. To avoid degradation of image quality, panels 4
will often include one or more windows 70, with the windows
generally being significantly more transparent to a desired imaging
modality than at least a portion of the panel beyond the
windows.
[0078] To enhance image quality, sensors 12b within window 70 maybe
be adapted to have a greater transparency than at least some of the
sensors disposed beyond the window. For example, some of the
sensors disposed beyond window 70 may include a metallic electrode,
such as a silver/silver chloride electrode, while sensors 12b
within window 70 may comprise a nonmetallic electrode such as a
carbon electrode, or a metallically impregnated carbon electrode
with a sufficiently low metal content so that the electrode is
functionally transparent for imaging. Suitable carbon electrodes
include those described by Arne SippensGroenewegen, et al. in "A
Radiotransparent Carbon Electrode Array for Body Surface Mapping
During Cardiac Catheterization ", Proceedings of the 9th Annual
Conference of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, New
York: IEEE Publishing Services, pages 178-181 (1987), previously
incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, leads 62 within window
70 may comprise a nonmetallic material such as carbon, while at
least some of the electrical connection between sensors 12 and
analyzer 6 beyond window 70 can optionally make use of metallic
structures. Shielded leads may also be used to improve signal
quality.
[0079] In addition to using radiotransparent materials (or
materials which are otherwise transparent or nearly transparent to
a desired imaging modality) within window 70, components of panels
4A that are deleterious to image quality may be positioned beyond a
perimeter of the window. As will be described in detail herein,
powered circuits may be distributed among sensors 12 to improve
sensor signal quality. As such powered circuits may include image
degrading components, these power circuits will often be positioned
on substrate 60 outside of windows 70.
[0080] As panels 4 may be used to sense heart signals during paced
and other arrhythmias, it may be desirable to electrically
cardiovert and/or defibrillate (or otherwise stimulate) the heart
of the patient to establish a regular heart beat at some time
during the use of panels 4, and optionally repeatedly while
arrhythmias are being evaluated. To avoid having to resort to
repeatedly removing or displacing some or all of sensors 12 to
apply external defibrillation electrodes, panels 4 may include one
or more integrated heart stimulation structures such as external
stimulation electrodes 72. Heart stimulation electrodes 72 will
often have an outer perimeter 74 extending around one or more of
the sensors 12. To avoid signal contamination and/or damage to the
signal sensing system, an opening 76 within simulation electrode 72
around the sensor (and its lead) helps to maintain electrical
isolation between the sensor and stimulation electrode. Opening 76
may also extend to perimeter 74 to facilitate coupling of the
sensor via its lead 62 to the associated circuitry of panels 4. A
lead 62 capable of handling the desired cardiac stimulation energy
may connect stimulation electrode 72 to connector 65, or an
independent stimulation electrode connector may be provided,
optionally adjacent to the stimulation electrode along the panel.
In the exemplary embodiment standard defibrillation connectors and
discrete wires (in contrast to the panel-supported flex leads 62)
transmit power to the defibrillation electrodes to better withstand
the higher voltage and current involved in heart stimulation.
[0081] Stimulation electrode 72 may optionally extend into window
70, with the stimulation electrode material disposed within the
window preferably comprising a material which is sufficiently
transparent to the desired imaging modality to provide a desired
image. For example, stimulation electrode 72 may comprise carbon
filaments coupled to the patient's torso by an electrically
conductive gel. Stimulation electrode 72 may also have a structure
similar to electrodes 12 but with a large surface area. In some
embodiments, stimulation electrode 72 may extend into openings 66,
with the electrode structure being supported by a separate
defibrillation electrode support.
[0082] In the exemplary embodiment, the four panels 4A-D are each
adapted to support sensors 12 in appropriate engagement with an
associated quadrant of torso T. Advantageously, individual mounting
of panels 4 on torso T allows some adjustment for patients having
differing external anatomy. Lateral width of torsos vary to a
greater extent than inferior/superior length of the torso, and
separating the torso into circumferential quadrants allows the
multiple panel structure to be positioned with selective spacing
between the panels to accommodate these differences. Nonetheless,
as patients will vary significantly in height, a modest number of
alternative panel sizes may be provided, with the physician
selecting the panel size suitable for the patient. Two to ten
different sizes of multi-panel systems may be sufficient to cover
at least most patient sizes. Openings 66 through panel substrate 60
generally increase the adaptability of panels 4 to varying external
anatomies, particularly where the openings define severable
cross-members 78, as shown in FIG. 9B.
[0083] The use of an inelastic flexible substrate 60 generally
enhances the alignment rigidity or placement accuracy of sensors
12. Nonetheless, panels 4 will benefit from differing
configurations for differing external anatomies. For example,
although rigidity in lateral positioning of the sensors across the
chest is generally desirable, selective detachment of severable
cross-members 78 may accommodate breasts, differences in
musculature, weight, and other variations within patients of the
same general size. To facilitate changes in configuration of panels
4, leads 62 will often extend around severable cross-members 78
along alternative portions of substrate 60.
[0084] Still further structures may be incorporated within panels
4. For example, intracardiac ablation catheters often make use of a
large "indifferent" return electrode coupled to a patient's back or
thigh so as to complete a circuit. These ablation catheters may
comprise quadripolar structures, in which current transmitted from
the tip electrode to the return electrode is used for ablation, and
in which two bipolar pairs can be used for recording or
stimulation. A return electrode 73 may be readily accommodated on
at least one panel, preferably in a posterior panel structure, as
shown in FIGS. 9D, 19, and 20.
[0085] As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 1, 9A-D, and
20, leads 62, connector 65, and cables 8 will preferably be
arranged along both the front and back of the patient so as to
extend laterally toward a common side of the patient, for example,
toward the patient's left. This improves physician access to the
patient via the patient's right side when panels 4 are coupled to
analyzer 6.
[0086] Referring once again to FIG. 2, initial recording of an
arrhythmia may take place in a relatively low-noise environment (as
compared to an electrophysiology lab). Hence, the initial
arrhythmia recording may make use of a lower cost panel system
which lacks these high-noise components and capabilities. Although
the exemplary panel structure illustrated in FIGS. 9A-D include
several features which provide significant capabilities at a
reasonable cost, it may be desirable to provide alternative sensing
systems at a lower cost, particularly for use when a noisy
environment (such as an electrophysiology lab) can be avoided. Such
noisy environments benefit from the distribution of powered
circuits among the electrodes, as well as from the specialized
defibrillation electrode structures, imaging windows, return or
"indifferent" electrodes, and other cost-increasing components of
panels 4.
[0087] Referring now to FIGS. 10A through 11D, the electrical
components and structure of the panels 4 are shown in more detail.
As seen most clearly in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a surface 86 (sometimes
referred to as an inner surface or tissue-engaging surface) of
substrate 60 is generally adapted to affix panel 4 to the torso
surface. More specifically, an adhesive impregnated foam 88 may be
disposed along tissue engaging surface 86 around an electrode body
90 of sensor 12. Alternatively, the electrode gel may provide
sufficient support without an adhesive foam. Electrode body 90 will
be electrically coupled to the torso surface by removing a
peel-away polymer sheet 92 from substrate 60 so as to expose
adhesive foam 88, and engaging the adhesive foam (and an
electrically conductive gel or adhesive 94 surrounded by the foam)
against the patient's skin. Conductive gel or adhesive 94 provides
electrical communication between the patient's skin and electrode
body 90.
[0088] Substrate 60 may comprise a variety of materials, such as
rubber, fabric, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and other
polymer materials, such as Kapton.TM. polymers. The substrate will
often have a thickness in a range from about 0.005" to about 0.07".
Electrode body 90 may comprise metallic (such as silver/silver
chloride, platinum, silver, gold, and the like) or non-metallic
(such as carbon) materials. Leads 62 will preferably comprise a
conductor deposited on substrate 60 as an ink, with the leads
generally maintaining continuity when the substrates flex. Suitable
conductive inks may include carbon, carbon/silver blends, silver,
silver/silver chloride, gold, platinum, copper, UV cured dielectric
materials, heat cured dielectric materials, or the like. Suitable
conductive lead inks may be commercially available from
Acheson.RTM., Ercon.RTM., Creative Materials.RTM., and other ink
manufacturers. Leads 62 will typically comprise features having a
width of at least about 0.010", with gaps of at least 0.015"
between separated features. Adhesive foam and electrolytic gels may
be commercially available from a variety of suppliers. A
non-metallic (carbon-based) adhesive may be available Adhesive
Research.TM.. A variety of conductive panel fabrication services
may be commercially available for manufacturing of panels 4,
including services provided by CONDUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES of York,
Pa.
[0089] As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 10B and 11A,
powered circuits 96 will often be distributed among sensors 12 of
the array. Locating such powered circuits in close proximity to
(and optionally on top of) to sensors 12 dramatically improves the
signal gathering performance of the array, primarily by reducing
the electronic and magnetic noise. Such noise is particularly
problematic in the high-noise environment of an electrophysiology
lab, in which mains power (at 50-60 Hz) is flowing, in which
therapeutic RF electrical energy will often be available and/or in
use, in which fluoroscopy and other imaging modalities may be
required for certain procedures, and the like.
[0090] Powered circuits 96 may provide amplification, buffering
(strengthening the drive of signals sensed by sensor 12 to help
transmit the signals down the leads to analyzer 6), noise
filtering, analog-to-digital conversion, electrical-to-optical
conversion, and/or the like. In preferred embodiments, some or all
of these functions may be preferred by transmitter 3 as shown in
FIG. 1. To provide one or more of these capabilities, powered
circuits 96 will generally have three or more leads extending
therefrom, with power being supplied by a difference in potential
between at least two of the leads. A simplified amplifier powered
circuit 96A is illustrated in FIG. 11B, while a simplified
analog-to-digital converting powered circuit 96B is illustrated in
FIG. 11C.
[0091] In some embodiments, one or more of the sensors 12 may have
powered circuits 96 colocated with, and dedicated to, a particular
sensor 12. Circuit components may be disposed within a protective
structure 98 of hardened polymer deposited over and/or adjacent,
electrode body 90, the protective structure sometimes referred as a
"glop-top". Protective structure 98 adds structural rigidity as
well as voltage isolation. Such rigidity helps maintain electrical
continuity between the electrical components and leads 62.
[0092] In many embodiments, powered circuit 96 will pre-process
signals from a plurality of sensors 12, powered circuits 96 often
amplifying (and/or otherwise improving the transmissibility of)
signals for 2, 4, or 8 sensors. As illustrated in FIG. 11A and
described above, powered circuits 96 will often be disposed outside
of imaging windows 70 so as to avoid degrading imaging quality.
Components of an exemplary powered circuit 96 for processing
signals from 2 nearby sensors 12 are illustrated in FIG. 11D. Note
that powered circuits 96 may comprise a rigid circuit board 99
mounted on flexible substrate 60, the circuit boards coupled to
sensors 12, and (connector 65, see FIG. 17) by leads 62.
[0093] Referring now to FIG. 12, and as was described above with
reference to FIG. 2, it will often be beneficial to identify a
location and orientation of the endocardial surface of a chamber of
the heart, particularly when a system is intended to guide a
catheter toward a candidate site. Additionally, size information
regarding the chamber may be used to apply normalized data to the
specific patient. Advantageously, pacing and/or ablation catheter
110 may be used to identify datum locations 120 so as to indicate
to the system the general layout of the heart chamber. For example,
by identifying a center or perimeter of a mitral valve ring MVR, an
apex, and a center of an aortic valve ring AVR, often by
sequentially positioning catheter 110 at these anatomic structures
and taking catheter location measurements at each location, the
basic geometry of the patient's heart chamber can be readily
modeled by the system.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 12-14B, based on a calculated candidate
site and the chamber geometry, the system may generate one or mores
sequential graphical position indications 121 to help guide the
physician during positioning of catheter 110. The graphical
candidate site indicator (or guide) 121 will be revised after each
sequential paced map 122, 124, 126 is obtained. Initially, the
information included in each paced map may be used in combination
with a general database (although even initially it may be used
independent of any external database). As more and more
patient-specific information is obtained, guide marker 121 should
more and more accurately approximate the actual ectopic or exit
site. Once sufficient patient/specific information has been
obtained, that information may optionally be used independent of
any database (if a general database was initially used).
[0095] Preferably, guide 121 will provide a three-dimensional
position indication, such as by providing separate markers on a
right anterior oblique angled fluoroscopic display 130 illustrated
in FIG. 14B, and on a left anterior oblique angled display 132
illustrated in FIG. 14A. A variety of other projections and imaging
modalities can also be used. Such a three-dimensional guide is
particularly advantageous when superimposed on an image of the
heart tissue and the catheter 110, as it allows the attending
physician to position the catheter with reference to the tissue
image and guide. FIG. 13 shows yet another useful graphical
representation of positioning within a heart chamber, in which a
polar image extends from a chamber apex radially outwardly to a
mitral valve ring MVR.
[0096] Once an ectopic origin or exit site has been sufficiently
localized, ablation of the ectopic origin or exit site is effected,
often using an ablation electrode of pacing catheter 110. A variety
of alternative tissue treatment modalities might be applied to the
ectopic origin, including RF ablation, cryogenic cooling,
ultrasound, laser, microwave, bioactive agents, and the like.
Similarly, a variety of intracardiac localization techniques might
be used in place of intracardiac pace mapping under fluoroscopy.
Suitable three-dimensional electro-anatomical point-by-point
mapping systems may be commercially available for localization of
an ectopic origin or exit site from BIOSENSE-WEBSTER, INC. under
the trademark CARTO.RTM., and a related Real-Time Position
Management.TM. system may be available from CARDIAC PATHWAYS
CORPORATION of California. An electrical localization system may be
available from Medtronic under the trademark Localisa.TM..
Alternative multi-electrode catheters may be commercially available
from CARDIMA, INC., BIOSENSE-WEBSTER, INC., CARDIAC PATHWAYS, INC.,
BARD, INC. and/or EP TECHNOLOGIES, INC. A still further alternative
for localizing of the ectopic origin or exit site maybe provided
using a three-dimensional non-contact multi-electrode mapping
system under development by ENDOCARDIAL SOLUTIONS, INC. Exemplary
cryogenic systems may be available from CRYOCATH, INC. and from
CRYOGEN, INC. A suitable cooled RF ablation catheter is sold
commercially as the CHILLI.RTM.--Cooled Ablation System from
CARDIAC PATHWAYS CORPORATION of California. Pulmonary vein
isolation systems for use with the invention are now being
developed by ATRIONIX (ultrasound), IRVINE BIOMEDICAL (ultrasound),
and CARDIOFOCUS (laser ablation).
[0097] Referring now to FIG. 15, biplane fluoroscopic imaging of a
heart H within a torso of a patient (using left and right imaging
systems 140a, 140b) is illustrated, along with the improved access
provided by cables 8 extending off to a common side of the patient.
As can be understood with reference to FIG. 15, panel 4A is
generally adapted to provide sensor signals from a left front
quadrant of patient P, while panels 4B, 4C, and 4D are adapted to
provide sensing signals from the right front, right rear, and left
rear quadrants of the patient's torso, respectively. As can be
understood with reference to FIGS. 15, 9A, and 9D, stimulation
electrodes 72 will preferably be positioned along panels 4A and 4D
so that a heart H of patient P is disposed therebetween so as to
facilitate defibrillation by transmitting an electrical current
between the stimulation electrodes.
[0098] As was generally described above, it is often beneficial to
include adhesives or some alternative mechanism for independently
mounting each panel against the torso surface of the patient. While
the described peel-and-stick mounting is preferred, alternative
independent panel mounting structures (such as separately deposited
adhesives, independent straps, and the like) may also be used.
Additionally, interpanel attachment mechanisms may also be included
such as elastic members extending between panels, releasably
attachable straps having buckles, velcro.RTM. attachments, and the
like may also be provided. In some embodiments, it may be possible
to attach the electrodes to a garment and/or garment-like
structure. However, it is generally preferably to provide
independent mounting, as this enhances the physician's ability to
accurately position the sensors of the array supported by each
panel. Additionally, it may be difficult to simultaneously align
all of the panels upon the patient with a single interconnected
structure or garment.
[0099] Referring now to FIG. 16, panels 4 will often have writing,
graphical pictures, and/or other indicia of panel positioning
visible upon one or more of the panels, and/or upon an associated
structure, such as upon a peel-away plastic sheet 92. Indicia of
alignment 142 will generally indicate a desired position and
orientation of at least one panel 4 relative to patient P, and/or
relative to an adjacent panel. In the exemplary embodiment,
selected electrodes 142' are visibly marked upon the panel outer
surface, and may be used to align the panels with the patient's
anatomy. More specifically, positioning electrode 142' may be
located in the 4th intercostal space, left (for panel 4A) or right
(for panel 4B) parasternal. These are the respective standard
positions for the V2 and V1 electrode positions in a known standard
12-lead ECG system. The posterior panels (i.e., 4C and 4D) will be
positioned so that a bottom edge of these panels is aligned with a
bottom edge of an anterior panel (i.e., 4A and/or 4B). As
illustrated in FIG. 16, the other standard ECG leads may also be
visually indicated on an outer surface of the appropriate panel,
including the V3, V4, V5, LA and LL lead locations. In some
embodiments, a first panel will be positioned against a patient
with reference to physiological reference point, such as the
supersternal notch. An adjacent front panel may then be positioned
with reference to both the supersternal notch and an alignment
marker of the first mounted panel.
[0100] Referring once again to FIGS. 15 and 16, a kit 150 for
sensing and/or localizing an arrhythmia site of heart H will
typically include one or more panels 4 together with instructions
for use IFU. Instructions for use IFU and panels 4 will typically
be included within packaging 152, the instructions for use
optionally being embodied as printed information (in some
embodiments appearing at least in part on the packing material, or
a sterile wrapping of panels 4), a VCR tape, media embodying a
machine-readable code, or the like. Instructions for use IFU will
often describe mounting the one or more panels 4 upon patient P,
and may also describe localizing an arrhythmia with the mounted
panels and/or treatment of the arrhythmia based at least in part on
heart signals sensed by the panels.
[0101] Referring now to FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20, an alternative
panel system comprising four panels 160A, 160B, 160C, and 160D
(collectively panels 160) include substrates 60 on which sensors 12
are coupled to connector 65 via leads 62, as described above
regarding panels 4. However, in these embodiments leads 62
generally directly couple the electrodes of sensors 12 to connector
65 without preprocessing of the signal. Such "passive" panel
structures are particularly well suited for a low-noise
environment, and/or for ambulatory or long-term tests. These
long-term and/or ambulatory data sensing (and as described above,
optionally recording) sessions are particularly useful for
screening and measurement of arrhythmias and other diseases of the
heart before an invasive diagnosis and/or treatment. For example,
as described in copending provisional patent application serial No.
60/189,611, as filed on Mar. 15, 2000 (the full disclosure of which
was previously incorporated by reference), measurements of a
heartbeat at or near the initiation of a naturally occurring AFib
episode can be particularly beneficial for localization and/or
treatment.
[0102] As can be understood with reference to the initial recording
of the arrhythmia at step 44 and signal comparison of a paced
arrhythmia at step 54 in FIG. 2, many treatment protocols and
treatment systems will make use of both an active and passive panel
system for diagnosis and treatment of a single patient. The panel
substrate outlines, sensor structures, and at least some of lead
traces 62 from panels 160 may also be used within an active panel
system (as described above) so as to avoid the cost and complexity
of alternative duplicate parts when fabricating both active and
passive panels. Some and/or all of the panel structures may be
disposable.
[0103] A multi-level fabrication method and panel structure can
also clearly be understood with reference to FIGS. 17 and 17A-C.
Anterior left panel 160A is shown with a substrate base 60 upon
which a first deposition layer comprising electrodes 90 and a
second deposition layer comprising leads 62 have been deposited in
FIG. 17. Over these first two deposited layers, an insulation layer
162 is next deposited (FIG. 17A). Over the insulation an adhesive
foam layer 88 is deposited, followed by a layer of conductive gel
or adhesive 94 as illustrated in FIG. 17C. Each of these layers is
selectively deposited and arranged so as to provide the desired
sensor and electrical connection configuration. A peel-away layer
92 (see FIG. 16) helps to protect the adhesive and prevent the gel
from drying out. Note that in some embodiments, as illustrated in
FIG. 20, connector 65 and/or an associated portion of the panel
substrate may extend laterally, particularly along one posterior
panel so as to provide a thin, comfortable electrical pathway
toward the system analyzer, transmitter, and/or recorder when the
patient is laying on his or her back. Suitable structures for
coupling cables 8 to connectors 65 include those described, for
example, in PCT Application Publication No. WO 97/49143, the full
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, or by a variety
of standard widely available flex circuit connectors.
[0104] While the exemplary embodiments have been described in some
detail, by way of example and for clarity of understanding, a
variety of changes, adaptations, and modifications will be obvious
to those of skill in the art. Hence, the scope of the present
invention is limited solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *